Security

Iran-backed Taliban splinter group seeks to sabotage peace process

2020-07-08

Iran-backed Taliban splinter group seeks to sabotage peace process

An emerging group, Hezb-e-Wilayat-e-Islami, is made up of radical Taliban commanders and smaller Taliban offshoots.

Afghanistan will not release 600 'too dangerous' Taliban prisoners Crime Justice

2020-07-08

Afghanistan will not release 600 'too dangerous' Taliban prisoners

Afghanistan will not release 600 'too dangerous' Taliban prisoners

The prisoners include people charged with murder, highway robbery and even sodomy, as well as hundreds of foreign fighters, according to officials.

Would-be child suicide bomber trained by Taliban surrenders in Kunduz Security

2020-07-07

Would-be child suicide bomber trained by Taliban surrenders in Kunduz

Would-be child suicide bomber trained by Taliban surrenders in Kunduz

The Taliban killed his parents, sent two of his brothers on suicide missions, and the whereabouts of his two sisters is unknown. 'I became fed up with the Taliban's oppression,' the boy said.

Afghan peace faces 'serious challenges' due to Taliban violence: Ghani
Security

2020-07-07

Afghan peace faces 'serious challenges' due to Taliban violence: Ghani

An uptick in Taliban attacks against security forces and civilians proves that the militants are 'not serious' about reaching a peace agreement with the Afghan government, officials say.

Dollar smuggling from Afghanistan to Iran surges as Tehran lifts import limits
Economy

2020-07-06

Dollar smuggling from Afghanistan to Iran surges as Tehran lifts import limits

The resulting shortage of US dollars on the market is adversely impacting Afghan businesses and the economy, officials say.

The Putin regime: a perennial malign actor on world stage
Analysis

2020-07-03

The Putin regime: a perennial malign actor on world stage

Undermining governments, fomenting unrest, spreading disinformation and supporting the indiscriminate killing of innocents around the world are the unfortunate hallmarks of the Kremlin.

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Spotlight

Afghan religious scholars condemn Taliban's 'illegitimate' war

'Stop killing Afghans' and join the peace process, say religious scholars, residents and victims of the Taliban's violence in southwestern Afghanistan.
Afghan religious scholars condemn Taliban's 'illegitimate' war
Taliban, al-Qaeda maintain 'close ties' despite peace deal promises
Security

2020-07-02

Taliban, al-Qaeda maintain 'close ties' despite peace deal promises

The Taliban have continued to work with al-Qaeda since singing a peace deal with the United States and promising to disavow the terrorist group, the US Defence Department said.

Violence remains greatest obstacle to economic prosperity in Afghanistan
Economy

2020-07-02

Violence remains greatest obstacle to economic prosperity in Afghanistan

The war has destroyed infrastructure projects, halted development and squandered opportunities for investment and job creation, say economists.

Afghan authorities reopen maternity ward targeted in deadly attack in May
Health

2020-07-02

Afghan authorities reopen maternity ward targeted in deadly attack in May

Gunmen stormed the hospital in Kabul on May 12, killing 25 people including new mothers.

UN reports nationwide drop in poppy cultivation in Afghanistan
Economy

2020-07-01

UN reports nationwide drop in poppy cultivation in Afghanistan

The Taliban have forced farmers under the group's control to grow poppies as part of their scheme to fund their militancy.

Afghan religious scholars condemn Taliban's 'illegitimate' war
Security

2020-06-30

Afghan religious scholars condemn Taliban's 'illegitimate' war

'Stop killing Afghans' and join the peace process, say religious scholars, residents and victims of the Taliban's violence in southwestern Afghanistan.

Taliban continue torrent of attacks as 23 civilians killed in Helmand
Security

2020-06-29

Taliban continue torrent of attacks as 23 civilians killed in Helmand

The rocket and car bomb assault follows a stream of other deadly offensives launched by the militants.

Empty promises: Taliban's refusal to disavow al-Qaeda reflects non-commitment to peace
Security

2020-06-26

Empty promises: Taliban's refusal to disavow al-Qaeda reflects non-commitment to peace

The militant group has not lived up to its commitments to sever its relationship with the terrorist outfit, a key element to lasting peace in Afghanistan.

Though concerns remain, Afghans welcome Taliban peace talks with open arms
Security

2020-06-25

Though concerns remain, Afghans welcome Taliban peace talks with open arms

However concerns remain over the Taliban's ties to foreign terrorist groups and the oppression the group committed during its time in power.

United States doubles reward to $10 million for capture of ISIS leader
Terrorism

2020-06-25

United States doubles reward to $10 million for capture of ISIS leader

Amir Mohammed Abdul Rahman al-Mawli al-Salbi issued edicts justifying the abduction and enslavement of thousands of Yazidi women and girls among other crimes against humanity.

Specialised military training has led to creation of independent Afghan force
Security

2020-06-24

Specialised military training has led to creation of independent Afghan force

World-class training and education on the latest military tactics and combat skills has created an Afghan security force to be reckoned with, according to analysts.

Afghanistan's progress in upholding citizens' rights sets example for region
Human Rights

2020-06-23

Afghanistan's progress in upholding citizens' rights sets example for region

Twenty years ago, the Afghan people did not have the power to raise their voices to ensure their protection of their rights and freedoms. Today, effective laws are in place to protect those rights.

Taliban continue wave of deadly violence with strikes on Kunduz checkpoints
Security

2020-06-23

Taliban continue wave of deadly violence with strikes on Kunduz checkpoints

The co-ordinated assaults follow the killing of almost 300 Afghan security personnel over the past week, which the government said was the deadliest period in the 19-year conflict.

Taliban kill nearly 300 Afghan security personnel in deadliest week in decades
Security

2020-06-22

Taliban kill nearly 300 Afghan security personnel in deadliest week in decades

The United Nations also said that the Taliban had carried out 'deliberate' attacks against healthcare workers and facilities at at time when the country is dealing with a deadly coronavirus outbreak.

Atmar visits Iran amid heightened tensions over killing of Afghan migrants
Diplomacy

2020-06-22

Atmar visits Iran amid heightened tensions over killing of Afghan migrants

Iranian authorities continue to dismiss accusations that Iranian security forces were behind a number of killings of Afghan migrants in past weeks. Evidence suggests otherwise.

As peace talks loom, Afghan women vow to fight return of Taliban's 'dark rule'
Women's Rights

2020-06-19

As peace talks loom, Afghan women vow to fight return of Taliban's 'dark rule'

Women are collectively raising their voices to show they have not forgotten the oppression committed by the group during its time in power.

US fulfills troop reduction promises as concerns over Taliban–al-Qaeda ties remain
Security

2020-06-19

US fulfills troop reduction promises as concerns over Taliban–al-Qaeda ties remain

The number of US troops in Afghanistan has been cut to about 8,600 as part of a peace deal made with the Taliban in February.

Afghanistan has achieved 'unprecedented' progress in past two decades
Economy

2020-06-18

Afghanistan has achieved 'unprecedented' progress in past two decades

A look back at Afghanistan over the past two decades reveals major developments in the economic, telecommunications, infrastructure and education sectors.

US announces new sanctions against Fatemiyoun Division, Syrian president
Security

2020-06-18

US announces new sanctions against Fatemiyoun Division, Syrian president

The Fatemiyoun Division preys on the millions of undocumented Afghan migrants and refugees in Iran, coercing them to fight in Syria under threat of arrest or deportation.

Mortar blast kills 9 students at religious school in Takhar
Security

2020-06-18

Mortar blast kills 9 students at religious school in Takhar

Many of the dead were under 18 years old.

Released Taliban prisoners detail role of foreign governments behind ongoing war
Security

2020-06-17

Released Taliban prisoners detail role of foreign governments behind ongoing war

'They told me that if I fight against the Afghan government and international military forces, they would provide us with any kind of resources,' one Taliban militant said, referring to Iran.

Taliban attacks in Jawzjan, Kunduz leave 18 Afghan security personnel dead
Security

2020-06-17

Taliban attacks in Jawzjan, Kunduz leave 18 Afghan security personnel dead

The militants have stepped up violence in recent days, say officials.

Anger rises over Iranian consulate building's obstruction in Herat
Diplomacy

2020-06-16

Anger rises over Iranian consulate building's obstruction in Herat

Widening of the city's trunk road was completed in 2016, except for the portions where the Iranian consulate building stands, creating an issue of contention between Afghanistan and Tehran.

New polio cases spark concern in Afghanistan as coronavirus halts immunisation drive
Health

2020-06-16

New polio cases spark concern in Afghanistan as coronavirus halts immunisation drive

The pandemic has exacerbated eradication efforts as the Taliban continue to thwart authorities from conducting house-to-house campaigns.

Taliban step up deadly attacks as peace talks with government loom
Security

2020-06-15

Taliban step up deadly attacks as peace talks with government loom

More than 400 Afghan security personnel have been killed or wounded by insurgents in the past week, officials say.